Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-03-15
LOVER rAYsTrE LETTER.
EMMETT, Idaho. March Y 1897

they have created demands more than
passing notice. While do not ask
you to endorse what | write, it seems
as If something ought to be said for
the worldly people Of the Payette.
Messrs. Flenner and Thompson have
conducted the meetings, and it has
seemed good to them to hurl big fish
stories and epithets at the people who
in all sincerity and honor might differ
with them in opinions. To hear them
shout that it was dangerous to delay
that may be God would not spare
us to attend another meeting-one
would think people had habit OF
dropping dead daily in Emmett. Rev.
Thompson declared he had no sym
pathy or aid for the poor unless they
were deformed or sick; in fact no
one but crippled or sick man need
be poor. He forgets that misfortune
makes more poverty and distress than
all the physical ailments combined
Noble men and women who by hav-
ing that grand gift OF confidence in
their fellow man are betrayed and
impoverished by the treachery Of 9th
crs. To listen to the sermons one
would think that the Almighty had
deputized the Revs. Thompson and
Flenner to sit in Judgment. The
meetings have been characterized by
the amount of venomous abuse that
could be heaped upon the free think
ing community. Everyone that dar-
ed think for himself has been cast in.
to hell. Even the women, good and
trne though they may be-noble wo
men noble mothers, who have dared
to wed an lnfidel, have been amazed
TO learn that they have oprinciple, are
black hearted and unworthy. In fact
SO far was the damning process carried
OH that several ladies, who had signi-
fed their intention to be saved with
drew their names and support. Men
who outweigh, ten to one, mentally,
morally and intellectually, either OF
these reverends, were traduced. Now,
Mr.. Editor, we respect a good man
wherever we find him. There are
great, good, true hearted and brave
men. men who lived that the world
might be better for their having lived
in it, who did not believe it necessa-
ry for a God to be murdered that they
might live. | would like to know
how either of the reverends would
prove that they are Christians. What
act of charity, what great deed oi
love, have they done that any of ms
have not? What noble work have
they done without money and with
out price. Christ said, "Go forth anc
preach the gospel without money anc
without price, and these signs sha
follow those that believe on me in my
name. They shall speak with new
tongues; shall eat any deadly poisor
and it shall not harm them; they shall
cast out devils; they shall lay thei
hands on the sick aud they shall re
cover" We cannot find these sign
following either reverend. Instead
in the church, we find its share O
crime. We find its ministers con
, tributing their quota to our penlten
, tiaries, and more of their occupation
{ hy statistics, than from any other oe
| cupation of like number. Bowing a
: the shrine of amnrous sensuality, W
r find them betraying conhdence-rr
1 ining homes. Rev. Thompson tel
t us what the word of God says of u
e How does he know the Bible is tn
a word of God? 1t does not say it j:
= it does not claim it is. Nowhere e.
e cept on the title page does it say 1t
t the word of God or lay any claim
e it. The New Testament doesn't sa
or claim to say anything origin
about Christ. It's the Gospel acco'
ina TO Matthews, according 10 Har
Luke and John. It's mol according
Christ, but according to men-me
If who might be as likely to error
ourselves. Because the Book Is fl
of errors and needs revision, becau
IN it are recorded Gods own falu,
to save mankind because we dor
believe those failures are true, we a
damned by the clergy. Because
b. don't believe that meek old hypocrl
Moses, when he said the world "
made in six days, aud that God, a
~ wise and allpowerful, knowing
: things, pronounced Noah, afterwar
of incestuous and drunkard, the b.
~